The Twitter blue badge was a sign of authority, class, status and prestige, but most importantly, authenticity.
For those of us who have worked in newsrooms, we understand the place authenticity takes as we dispense news.
We used to rush to the verified accounts for authentic news. Now that authenticity has been watered down by the entry of tyrant and authoritarian leadership of Elon Musk.
In the era of disinformation, misinformation, propaganda and fake news on steroid, the commercialization of the Twitter verification badge is a retrogressive measure.
The effort that has been put in place to broadcast authentic news for consumption has been corrupted.
We are now headed to a period where every Tom, Dick and Harry can get verified.
To ensure that they get quoted and trusted, political influencers and propagandist were the first to subscribe to Twitter Blue. A look a some of the accounts now spreading fake news shows they just signed up for the badge: They now have authority to spread disinformation, which in the past regime, would have not only led to the loss of the badge but the account, too.
TYPE OF VERIFICATION BADGES
Blue if for individuals who have the celebrity status or not, Grey is for government institutions such as presidency, State House and ministries, while Gold is for companies
New York times, a renowned news outlet across the globe, has tasted the wrath of Elon Musk. The giant media house was stripped off the verification badge for failure to subscribe.
Closer home, renown business journalist Larry Madowo, who currently works for CNN as an international correspondent, has intimated that he and his employer will not in any way subscribe to the badge. Larry says after 12 years of verification by Twitter, he is ready to lose the badge.
The idea of the bird app to charge verification badge was met with resistance from genuine badge holders. This is because the commercialization of the badge, instead of earning it, expected to have an adverse effect on dissemination of genuine information.
To get the badge, as long as you have a verified phone number, you will get the badge. Imposters who can afford the $8 will take the day.
Being the richest man in the globe, Elon means business. His is not authenticity but how he will remain at the top of the globe.
Whether you consume propaganda, fake news or information detrimental to the peace and stability of a region he doesn’t care. He cares about business.
Macharia Wangui is a broadcast Journalist in Kenya
[email protected]
